Practical Guidelines on Pharmaceutical Procurement for Countries with Small Procurement Agencies
(2002; 64 pages)

Abstract

As a substantial part of the health budget in many countries is used to purchase pharmaceutical products, procurement of drugs is obviously a crucial function. Various types of tender mechanisms as well as direct procurement are described and discussed. A good way for small procurement agencies to ensure product quality is to conduct restricted tenders to which only prequalified suppliers are invited. The prequalification and tender procedures are described. Model questionnaires for prequalification of suppliers, a model tender invitation and an inspection checklist for drug receipts are enclosed. These can be modified to suit local conditions and legal requirements.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Summary
1. Objectives of this booklet
2. Introduction
3. Core principles of pharmaceutical procurement
4. Determining the tender format
5. Estimated or fixed tender quantities
6. Split or single awards
7. Required/optional use of local agents in international tenders
8. Annual or biannual tenders versus multiple tenders during the year
9. Prequalification of suppliers to be invited for restricted tenders
10. Tender invitation
11. Evaluation of bids
12. Post qualification procedures
13. References
14. Attachments
	Attachment 1. Model Questionnaire for Prequalification of Suppliers
	Attachment 2. Model Tender Invitation
		2.a. Model for tender invitation
		2.b. Model invitation to bid & contract form
			Invitation to bid
			General instructions
			Technical specifications and specific instructions to bidders
			Conditions of contract
			Bid form - Contract form
	Attachment 3. Inspection Checklist for Drug Receipts

Practical Guidelines on Pharmaceutical Procurement for Countries with Small Procurement Agencies

World Health Organization
Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Manila, Philippines
2002

WHO Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

1. Pharmaceutical preparations - supply and distribution
2. Guidelines.

ISBN 92 9061 014 X

The World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. Applications and inquiries should be addressed to the Office of Publications, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland or to the Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines, which will be glad to provide the latest information on any changes made to the text, plans for new editions, and reprints and translations already available.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.